ABSTRACT
Despite progress in the detection and treatment of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), major challenges remain in developing countries due to insufficient resources and infrastructure. The number of people living with HIV who do not know their serostatus has fallen worldwide. However, a number of existing obstacles stand in the way of better results. The socio-cultural context in Africa hampers knowledge and understanding of the disease, leading to stigmatizing attitudes, reluctance to undergo screening and poor access to treatment.Inequalities also exist within the countries of the North, as in the case of the French West Indies, which benefit from a policy to combat HIV/AIDS, with results that fall short of those in mainland France. For this reason, we have chosen to compare the situation in the West Indies with that in Benin, in the context of African culture.Our analysis takes stock of the issues and prospects linked to the accessibility and use of screening care in sub-Saharan Africa and the French Departments of America (DFA).In both cases, fear of the disease, stigmatization, fear of a positive HIV test result and fear of disclosing the test result limit preventive and treatment actions for an effective fight against HIV.In sub-Saharan Africa, women are more likely to accept a screening test than men. Certain populations, including adolescents and homosexuals, are in a vulnerable position. The comparison reveals similar attitudes and suggests actions or recommendations in both countries that have produced results.Innovative strategies and specific programs must be implemented to turn the tide in the fight against the HIV epidemic.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , HIV Infections , Male , Adolescent , Humans , Female , HIV Infections/diagnosis , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/epidemiology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/prevention & control , HIV , Africa South of the Sahara/epidemiology , BeninABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Exposure to electrical and electronic equipment waste (e-waste) has become a growing health concern. The objective of this study was to measure the effect of exposure to e-waste on respiratory symptoms and on lung function parameters in workers involved in informal recycling activities in Cotonou city, Benin. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, in which exposed e-waste workers in Cotonou city were randomly selected. A matching nonexposed group based on age and sex was recruited from the general population. Respiratory symptoms were investigated using a questionnaire adapted from the British Medical Research Council's standardized respiratory questionnaire. Participants underwent lung function test using a portable spirometer (MIR SPIROBANK). Data were analyzed with STATA version 15 software. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of respiratory symptoms in e-waste workers was statistically higher in the exposed group (33.1% vs. 21.6%; p = 0.027). Chest tightness (11.8% vs. 2.1%; p = 0.003) and breathlessness (6.8% vs. 1.4%; p = 0.018) were the most reported symptoms by e-waste workers. Lung function testing showed a higher proportion of disorders among e-waste workers (25.0% vs. 14.9%, p = 0.029), with a higher proportion of probable restrictive (10.8% vs. 2.7, p = 0.005) and mixed (4.1% vs. 0%, p = 0.013) ventilatory disorders. Handling or working with e-waste was found associated with a significant reduction in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) by 0.4 L (95% CI: 0.3-0.6) and forced vital capacity (FVC) by 0.75 L (95% CI: 0.6-0.9) after adjustment for age, BMI, smoking habits, asthma history, and daily income. CONCLUSION: Work involving e-waste is associated with a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms and with an increased risk of FEV1 and FVC decline, as well as of lung function impairment, particularly of restrictive disorders. Further studies to better clarify this association are needed. Awareness on this major public health threat should be raised in other sub-Saharan and Asian urban areas.
Subject(s)
Electronic Waste , Benin , Cross-Sectional Studies , Forced Expiratory Volume , Humans , Informal Sector , Vital CapacityABSTRACT
Perceived stress at work is an important risk factor that affects the mental and physical health of workers. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with perceived stress in the informal electronic and electrical equipment waste processing sector in French-speaking West Africa. From 14 to 21 November 2019, a cross-sectional survey was carried out among e-waste workers in five countries in the French-speaking West African region, and participants were selected by stratified random sampling. Participants were interviewed on socio-demographic variables and characteristics related to e-waste management activities using a questionnaire incorporating Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (10-item version). Factors associated with perceived stress were determined by multivariate logistic regression. A total of 740 e-waste workers were interviewed. The mean age of the workers was 34.59 ± 11.65 years, with extremes of 14 and 74 years. Most of the interviewees were repairers (43.11%). The prevalence of perceived stress among the e-waste workers was 76.76%. Insufficient income, number of working days per week, perceived violence at work, and the interference of work with family responsibilities or leisure were the risk factors that were the most associated with perceived stress. The high prevalence of perceived stress and its associated factors call for consideration and improvement of the working conditions of e-waste workers.
Subject(s)
Electronic Waste , Adult , Africa, Western , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Middle Aged , Recycling , Stress, Psychological/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), with its health and environmental issues, has become a public health problem exposing workers to toxic compounds causing respiratory problems. OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between professional exposure to WEEE and the occurrence of respiratory problems in Bamako in 2019. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a 6-month cross-sectional, analytical study carried out in the city of Bamako in 2019 and involved 159 WEEE manipulators. Data were collected using a tablet (2). Univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed using SPSS version 22 with the significance level of 0.05. Odds Ratio (OR) were presented with their 95% confident interval (OR[95%CI]). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of respiratory disorders was 67.3% among WEEE handlers. It was noted that the removal of the coating of electronic wires (OR[95%CI]=25.93[2.30;291.53]), recent weight loss outside of a diet (OR[95% CI]=7,43[1.68;32.85]) and the infrequent hand washing with soap after the toilet (OR[95% CI]=11.50[2.07; 63.89]) represented a higher risk of (2) breathing problems. CONCLUSION: These results show that D3E handlers have a lot of risky behavior for respiratory problems. This study could be used to implement strategies to reduce the impact of D3E.
INTRODUCTION: les déchets d'équipements électriques et électroniques (D3E), avec leurs enjeux sanitaires et environnementaux, sont devenus un problème de santé publique exposant les travailleurs aux composés d'éléments toxiques responsables de (2ème expertise) troubles respiratoires. OBJECTIF: Etudier la relation entre l'exposition professionnelle aux D3E et la survenue des problèmes respiratoires à Bamako en 2019. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODES: Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale, analytique de 6 mois, menée dans la ville de Bamako en 2019 et concernait 159 manipulateurs de D3E. Les données ont été collectées sur tablette et les analyses univariées et multivariées réalisées sur SPSS version 22 au seuil de significativité de 0,05 avec présentation des Odds Ratio (OR) et leurs intervalles de confiance à 95% (OR[IC95%]). RÉSULTATS: La prévalence en général des troubles respiratoires était de 67,3% chez les manipulateurs des D3E. On notait que le retrait du revêtement des fils électroniques (OR[IC95%]=25,93[2,30;291,53]), la perte de poids récente en dehors d'un régime (OR[IC95%]=7,43[1,68;32,85]) et la rareté de lavage des mains avec du savon après les toilettes (OR[IC95%]=11,50[2,07;63,89]) représentaient un risque plus élevé de problèmes respiratoires. CONCLUSION: Ces résultats montrent que les manipulateurs de D3E ont beaucoup de comportement à risque des problèmes respiratoires. Cette étude pourrait servir à la mise en Åuvre de stratégies visant à réduire l'impact des D3E.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: les déchets d'équipements électriques et électroniques (D3E), avec leurs enjeux sanitaires et environnementaux, sont devenus un problème de santé publique exposant les travailleurs aux composés d'éléments toxiques responsables de (2ème expertise) troubles respiratoires. Objectif: Etudier la relation entre l'exposition professionnelle aux D3E et la survenue des problèmes respiratoires à Bamako en 2019. Matériel et Méthodes : Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale, analytique de 6 mois, menée dans la ville de Bamako en 2019 et concernait 159 manipulateurs de D3E. Les données ont été collectées sur tablette et les analyses univariées et multivariées réalisées sur SPSS version 22 au seuil de significativité de 0,05 avec présentation des Odds Ratio (OR) et leurs intervalles de confiance à 95% (OR[IC95%]). Résultats : La prévalence en général des troubles respiratoires était de 67,3% chez les manipulateurs des D3E. On notait que le retrait du revêtement des fils électroniques (OR[IC95%] =25,93[2,30;291,53]), la perte de poids récente en dehors d'un régime (OR[IC95%] =7,43[1,68;32,85]) et la rareté de lavage des mains avec du savon après les toilettes (OR[IC95%] =11,50[2,07;63,89]) représentaient un risque plus élevé de problèmes respiratoires. Conclusion :Ces résultats montrent que les manipulateurs de D3E ont beaucoup de comportement à risque des problèmes respiratoires. Cette étude pourrait servir à la mise en Åuvre de stratégies visant à réduire l'impact des D3E
Introduction: waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), with its health and environmental issues, has become a public health problem exposing workers to toxic compounds causing respiratory problems. Objective: To study the relationship between professional exposure to WEEE and the occurrence of respiratory problems in Bamako in 2019. Material and Methods: This was a 6-month cross-sectional, analytical study carried out in the city of Bamako in 2019 and involved 159 WEEE manipulators. Data were collected using a tablet (2). Univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed using SPSS version 22 with the significance level of 0.05. Odds Ratio (OR) were presented with their 95% confident interval (OR [95%CI]). Results: The overall prevalence of respiratory disorders was 67.3% among WEEE handlers. It was noted that the removal of the coating of electronic wires (OR [95%CI] =25.93[2.30;291.53]), recent weight loss outside of a diet (OR [95% CI] =7,43[1.68;32.85]) and the infrequent hand washing with soap after the toilet (OR [95% CI] =11.50[2.07; 63.89]) represented a higher risk of (2) breathing problems. Conclusion: These results show that D3E handlers have a lot of risky behavior for respiratory problems. This study could be used to implement strategies to reduce the impact of D3E
Subject(s)
Public Health , Occupational Exposure , Environmental Exposure , Hazardous Waste Sites , Respiratory Tract Diseases , MaliABSTRACT
The recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) contaminates ecosystems with metals, though a compilation of data from across sites worldwide is lacking, without which evidence-based comparisons and conclusions cannot be realized. As such, here, a systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify peer-reviewed studies concerning e-waste sites (published between 2005 and 2017) that reported on the concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Hg, As, Pb and Cr) in soil, water and sediment. From 3063 papers identified, 59 studies from 11 countries meeting predefined criteria were included. Reported metal concentrations were summarized, and a narrative synthesis was performed. This review summarized 8286 measurements of the aforementioned metals in soils (5836), water (1347) and sediment (1103). More than 70% of the studies were conducted in Asia. In nearly all cases, the average metal concentrations in a particular medium from a given site were above guideline values; suggesting soils, water and sediment at, or near, e-waste recycling sites are contaminated. Across all media, concentrations of Pb were generally highest, followed by Cr, As, Cd and Hg. The synthesized information demonstrates that e-waste sites worldwide are contaminated with metals, that geographic data gaps exist, that the quality of most studies can be improved and that action is needed to help reduce such levels to protect human health and the environment.
Subject(s)
Electronic Waste , Metals, Heavy , Soil Pollutants , Asia , China , Ecosystem , Electronic Waste/analysis , Environmental Monitoring , Humans , Metals, Heavy/analysis , Recycling , Soil , Soil Pollutants/analysisABSTRACT
Ambient air pollution is a major global health problem and commercial drivers are particularly exposed to it. As no systematic assessment of the health risks associated with occupational exposure to ambient air pollution in this population had yet been carried out, we conducted a systematic review using a protocol-driven strategy. Papers published from inception to April 20, 2018 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, African journals online, the Cochrane library, ISRCTN WHO ICTRP, and the Web of Science and Scopus databases were screened for inclusion by two independent reviewers. Original articles with at least an available abstract in English or French were included. The initial search retrieved 1454 published articles of which 20 articles were included. Three studies reported a significant difference in white blood cells (106/L) among commercial motorcyclists compared to rural inhabitants (5.041 ± 1.209 vs. 5.900 ± 1.213, p = 0.001), an increased risk of lung cancer (RR = 1.6, 95%CI 1.5â»1.8) in bus drivers and an increased standardized mortality ratio (SMR) in bus drivers from Hodgkin's lymphoma (SMR 2.17, 95%CI 1.19â»3.87) compared to white-collar workers. Other studies also found that drivers had more oxidative DNA damage and chromosome breaks. Four papers failed to demonstrate that the drivers were more exposed to air pollution than the controls. Three other studies also reported no significant difference in lung function parameters and respiratory symptoms. The genetic polymorphisms of detoxifying enzymes were also not homogeneously distributed compared to the controls. There is some evidence that occupational exposure to ambient air pollution among commercial drivers is associated with adverse health outcomes, but the existing literature is limited, with few studies on small sample size, methodological weaknesses, and contradictory findings-thus, further research is recommended.
Subject(s)
Air Pollution/adverse effects , Air Pollution/statistics & numerical data , Automobile Driving/statistics & numerical data , Motor Vehicles/statistics & numerical data , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Traffic-Related Pollution/adverse effects , Traffic-Related Pollution/statistics & numerical data , Adult , DNA Damage/drug effects , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Polymorphism, Genetic/drug effects , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
This paper presents a theoretical and practical framework for evaluating interventions aimed at promoting information utilization in organizational decision-making. The framework integrates three distinct yet complementary theoretical perspectives on information utilization in politico-administrative systems: (1) the literature on evaluation utilization, (2) current thinking on knowledge transfer (KT) in the health policy field and (3) approaches derived from the analysis of lobbying in political science. Our analysis calls into question the relevance of effect analysis in evaluating organizational or policy-level KT initiatives, but also suggests dimensions that should be explored when evaluating KT initiatives. We conclude that there are probably trade-offs to be made between the effectiveness of KT and the scientific robustness and validity of the information transmitted.
